SOC 469 Social Justice In Local-Global Contexts

3 credit hours

This course uses sociological/anthropological concepts about environmental and social justice processes (e.g inclusivity/expansivity) as broad frameworks for examining the interrelationships (e.g. intersectionality) among ecology and social systems of stratification based on socio-economic class, “social race,” and ethnicity. Concepts from complexity theories, creativity (e.g. social artistry), and “appreciative inquiry” (e.g. strength based) perspectives are embedded into the course. This is an applied sociology/anthropology course which uses a variety of multi-sensual educational methodologies requiring active engagement and face to face collaboration. The emphasis is on refining skills of observing, asking questions, active listening, reflecting, and “connecting the dots” among local “place-based educational” projects and information provided by textbooks, films, speakers, etc. This includes placing concerns about environmental and social justice and efforts to address them within broader historical and global contexts. Students are also encouraged to use work in the course to demonstrate competencies in their own majors and will complete career development assignments for use in their professional career portfolios. A major part of the course involves conducting extensive community based ethnographic (e.g. participant-observation) research, conducted outside of class periods, during which students will compare and contrast micro-cultures at the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee and Habitat for Humanity, Lenawee. This includes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a mini-ecology lesson (Boys & Girls Club) and an apprenticeship in educational workshop organization (Habitat). A criminal history background check is required.

Prerequisite:

SOC 111 Introduction To Sociology or SOC 113 Cultural Anthropology

Course is Offered: FA and WI Every Year